Josep Renau facts for kids

Manuela Ballester (second on the left) with her husband Josep Renau, her sisters Rosa and Fina and her three older sons in Mexico, 1941

Josep Renau Berenguer (born May 17, 1907 – died November 11, 1982) was a talented Spanish artist. He was known for his strong beliefs and for using his art to share important messages. Josep created many different types of art, including paintings, murals, and special photo collages.

He is especially remembered for his art during the Spanish Civil War. He also made famous works like the Fata Morgana series and The American Way of Life. One of his well-known murals is Tropic, which he painted in Mexico in 1945.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Josep Renau was born in Valencia, Spain. From a young age, he showed a great interest in art. He studied at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Carlos. This is a famous art school in Spain.

His early art often featured a style called Art Deco. This style uses bold geometric shapes and rich colors. It was very popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

Art and Politics During the Spanish Civil War

Josep Renau lived during a difficult time in Spain. The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was a conflict between different groups in the country. Josep believed strongly in certain ideas about how society should be run. He used his art to support these ideas.

He created many posters and images that were like advertisements for a cause. This type of art is called propaganda. His work aimed to encourage people and spread messages during the war.

Spanish Pavilion in Paris

In 1937, there was a big international exhibition in Paris, France. Spain had its own building, called the Spanish Pavilion. Josep Renau created large photo-murals for this building. These were huge pictures made from many photographs put together.

These murals showed the world what was happening in Spain. They were a powerful way to share his country's story through art.

Life and Art in Mexico

After the Spanish Civil War, Josep Renau moved to Mexico. He continued to create amazing art there. He painted many murals, which are large paintings on walls. These murals often told stories or shared important messages.

One of his most famous murals from this time is called Tropic. He finished this artwork in 1945. It shows his unique style and ideas.

The American Way of Life Series

Josep Renau also created a series of photomontages. A photomontage is a picture made by cutting and gluing different photographs together. He called this series The American Way of Life.

This series explored ideas about modern society and culture. He used his art to make people think about the world around them.

Later Years in East Germany

Later in his life, Josep Renau moved to East Berlin, Germany. He continued to work as an artist there until he passed away in 1982. Throughout his life, he used his artistic skills to express his beliefs and comment on the world. He is remembered as an important artist who combined art with social and political messages.